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Occupational & Life Skills

OLS is an associate degree program designed for postsecondary adults with disabilities. This degree prepares students to become self-determined, responsible citizens and confident employees. Students develop a career pathway, interpersonal skills, and participate in related internship experiences.

Examines the concept of a balanced diet, exercise and health, wellness and food safety. Nutritional models are presented to allow the student to understand and build a healthy lifestyle. Prerequisite: OLS 107, 110, and 111 and Acceptance into the program.

Builds upon the concepts taught in OLS 100 to develop personal health and wellness that lead to a healthy lifestyle. Personal plans are developed and implemented. Prerequisite: OLS 100 and Acceptance into the program.

Designed to increase awareness of different types of disabilities within our community. Individuals reflect upon their own disability and when and how to disclose this information. Prerequisite: OLS 110, 143, 170 and Acceptance into the program.

Communication in the workplace is unique to the environment. Understanding the use of assertive language, how to manage a conflict, solve a problem, and job finding skills are all related to being an effective communicator. Career networking is introduced. Prerequisite: OLS 105 and Acceptance into the program.

Explores healthy and unhealthy relationships emphasizing strategies to maintain a healthy relationship in various environments. Disability disclosure in social situations is discussed. Students learn strategies to manage conflict. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program and OLS 110.

Presents different learning modalities and personal styles to articulate learning needs to others. Covers basic skills such as time management and organization. Students use templates and processes for effective reading and writing practices. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program.

Discusses the types of news and how it effects your daily life. Covers the correlation between reality and representation and how various points of view enter into the elements of news and applying it into an article. Prerequisite OLS 110, 111, 140, 141 and Acceptance into the program.

Identify and practice critical thinking strategies. Students research, analyze, and debate current social issues using argumentative and persuasive formats. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: VENTU 110, 111, and 112 or permission of instructor.

Explores how media advertising works and why it is so successful with consumers. Analyzes the way buyers are influenced. Takes advertising and correlates it into purchase choices and personal attitudes. Prerequisite: OLS 110, 111, 112, 113 and Acceptance into the program.

First course in the personal finance series. Students participate in developing a foundation of money management, the use of finance tools, and skills necessary for independent financial success. Prerequisite: OLS 110, 111, 140, 141 and acceptance into the program.

Second course in the personal finance series. Students participate in compiling a spending journal, reflecting on wants and needs that develop into a personal budget. Covers basic financial concepts, safe practices when buying an item online, use of a credit or debit card, and using a savings account. Prerequisite: OLS 120, 141 and Acceptance into the program.

Third course in the personal finance series. Students participate in hands-on activities including creating and using their own budget and balancing accounts. Examines use of credit cards, money scams, and paycheck information. Focus is on applying personal money management knowledge in real and simulated situations to improve how to view and handle money. Prerequisite: OLS 120, 121 and Acceptance into the program.

First in a three course series that address our impact on the Puget Sound, the dynamic nature of the physical environment and how people's interactions shape the world around us. Critical thinking and problem solving are used to determine sense of space. Prerequisite: OLS 110, 111, 130 and acceptance to the program.

Second in a three course series. Continues to builds awareness of the Puget Sound by engaging students in the pressing issues facing our communities. Prerequisite: OLS 123 and acceptance to the program.

Third in a three course series focusing on individual connection to place. Students explore their own relationship to the Puget Sound through the lens of service and volunteerism identifying ways they can contribute to the environmental movement. Prerequisite: OLS 124 and acceptance to the program.

Increases cultural awareness both locally and globally. Students begin by reflecting on their own culture and examine how cultural diffusion effects the lens in which they see the world. Students explore how culture, gender, race, politics, and religion shape their lives and the importance of diversity. Prerequisite: OLS 111, 113, 114 and acceptance to the program.

Introduction to the scientific inquiry methods used to develop critical thinking skills as they apply to personal and workplace situations. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Students examine cases of social change to understand how and why change occurs. Students identify and issue and make a plan to initiate or continue with others toward social change in their community. Prerequisite: OLS 111, 113, 114 and Acceptance into the program.

Examine and debate core democratic values, compare and contrast the organization of governments of multiple countries, examine and observe laws and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship, analyze the multiple histories, cultures, perspectives, contributions and/or struggles of various peoples, with focus on people with disabilities. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Builds on material in OLS 140 with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook. Includes resumes and cover letters and professional versus personal computer use. Prerequisite: OLS 140 or permission of instructor.

Students begin developing a career portfolio based on courses taken, adding to the document throughout the program identifying personal values and strengths. The information is used to begin a career pathway setting an initial career goal. Prerequisite: OLS 105, 106, 110 and 111 and Acceptance into the program.

Students use a variety of fun and innovative techniques such as resistance and cardio exercises to build endurance and core strength. Emphasis is on overall physical conditioning for both strength and flexibility using the Swiss ball tubing, and/or other equipment. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Develop body awareness with basic knowledge about and applications of self-defense including hand and foot techniques, blocks, defense zones, and the eight directional movements. Explore techniques for conflict resolution and philosophy. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Covers basic Yoga postures, breathing techniques, anatomy and physiology to enhance balance, self control, self confidence, and physical competence. Emphasis is placed on integrating these elements within the individual and into his or her life. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Explores the theatre experience from a variety of perspectives, including the audience, the playwright, the actor, the designer, and the director. Attendance at a performance on campus is required. Prerequisite: Entrance to the program.

Introduces the basic techniques and tools used by the actor. Moving from improvisation to scene work, students learn warm ups, theatre games, vocal physical and emotional awareness, listening skills, and beginning textual analysis using objectives, obstacles and tactics. Prerequisit: Entrance to the program.

Introduces students to visual thinking using elements of design and principles of composition. The aesthetic scanning method of visual viewing is introduced and practiced. Classroom experiences cover a wide range of applied art, media and subject matter. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Continues and builds upon concepts covered in OLS 160. Focus is on art history including styles, artists, cultures, concepts and techniques. Incorporates two or three-dimensional art activities demonstrating the art history covered. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: OLS 160 or permission of instructor.

Improves reading and speaking skills, and explores different facets of the human personality. There is heavy emphasis on sight-reading and basic characterization techniques. Class culminates in a taped radio theater production. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

View and analyze a variety of fiction, non-fiction, and historical fiction films. Decode character, plot, organization, ideas, themes, imagery, cultural influences, and symbolism. Interpret implied meanings from a film and connect them with other films, stories, or events. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

View and analyze a variety of non-fiction, and historical fiction films. Emphasis on understanding film in society to reason, evaluate, connect stories to the real world, and classify them in terms of fiction, non-fiction, and historical fiction. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

View and analyze a variety of non-fiction, and historical fiction films and make connections between films and world culture. Students examine and describe how films express the world in spatial terms, human interaction, and cultural uniqueness. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: Acceptance to the program.

Music is a key element of all cultures across space and time. Designed to give students an appreciation for how the finer elements of music are deeply shaped by the culture of technology and time. Offers critical thinking skills and an appreciation for multiple perspectives. Prerequisite: Acceptance into the program.

Using strengths, skills, and accomplishments students assess personal needs and accommodations. Includes effective assertive communication to have needs and accommodations considered or met. Students set measurable goals and develop an action plan. Prerequisite: OLS 105, 110 and Acceptance into the program.

Presents methods for advocating for yourself in a professional environment during an interview, how to ask for accommodations, and ask for help as needed. Includes interviewing skills both in group and one on one situations. Covers basic knowledge of ADA, labor laws, unions, and OSHA. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 111, 170, 174, and Acceptance into the program.

Applies problem solving techniques and strategies to various workplace situations to help students handle any difficulties. Also covers resumes, cover letters and job searching techniques. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 111, 174 and Acceptance into the program.

Continues OLS 143. Develops a career pathway from information gathered through research, career assessments, job clusters from testing results, and job site observations. Specific career goals are set with measureable outcomes. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 111, 143 and Acceptance into the program.

Combines practical work experience with course objectives. Focuses on strengthening time and task management skills, clear and professional communication and utilizing job search resources. Students are required to participate in no less than nine hours per week at their internship site. Prerequisite: OLS 171, 172, 174 and Acceptance into the program.

Examines and discusses participation and communication in the integrated internship experience. Focuses on workplace problem solving, practicing job search, practical interview techniques and portfolio assembly. Students are required to participate in no less than nine hours per week at their internship site. Prerequisite: OLS 171, 172, 174, 175 and Acceptance into the program.

Presents skills needed to participate professionally in the workforce. Includes securing an internship site and examines and updates professional publications. Students discuss and construct a professional network, and examine and experience current interviewing styles. Interviews are scheduled and conducted. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 171, 174 and Acceptance into the program.

Examine controversial issues in the workplace such as gender or racial discrimination, the ADA, harassment, sweatshops, and unions through case studies, related court cases and laws and current news stories. Structured to accommodate special needs learners. Prerequisite: OLS 170, 171, 172 and acceptance into the program.

Students develop a plan with a faculty advisor that includes further education, learning objectives, worksite experiences or activities, and evaluation specific to their career pathway. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 171, and OLS 174, and permission of program manager. "

Students develop a plan with a faculty advisor that includes further education, learning objectives, worksite experiences or activities, and progress and evaluation specific to their career pathway. Prerequisite: OLS 106, 171, 174 and acceptance into the program.